Nyx
After saying those cryptic words, he released me and walked over to Nimra. Nimra locked eyes with him, then attempted to run away. Azrail was not to be denied. He took a step, then appeared in her path with an amused smile.
She tried to change course, but he snatched her up, then yelled over his shoulder that he was going to give his mate some special attention before they had to leave for their first appointment of the day.
Korran calmly followed them through the portal Azrail had made. No backward glance. No instructions on how to tie up matters here. Abandoned for last-minute quickies.
All of us from the younger generation turned toward Uncle Cor, Uncle Hael, and Aunt Zira once the portal closed. They were now the primary responsible adults.
The three exchanged glances. Uncle Cor pulled out his pocket watch. "Aspen, Zira, and I will finish wrapping things up here. Hael, you will take the kids to get dressed in their prepared holiday outfits. There will be photographers, so they will need the razzle-dazzle treatment." Hael and the kids gave us hugs and kisses, then set off.
"Keir and Lux take Nyx back to the pavilion. Nyx, it's almost time for you to head over to Salgrave Manor, so arriving a bit early shouldn't be a problem. Nephews, get yourselves ready to head out. We leave in an hour."
We bowed and headed for the door when Uncle Cor called me back.
He pulled me into a hug. "Have fun over at the Salgrave Manor. The Salgrave elders are good people. Most of the second and third generations are good people too. Suffer no fools if anyone offends you."
"The enclave stands with you unconditionally. Love you, niece. Be well and safe. We should all be back late tonight or early tomorrow. One of us will let you know which it will be."
Appreciating the care Uncle Cor showed me, I hugged him tightly then ran over to jump on Keir's back. Lux, Keir, and I talked about my training until they left to get ready, leaving me with Líma.
I sat in the reception hall when I called Zen to ask if I could head over now. After Zen told me yes, Líma and I headed out the front to where the car was waiting.
When the driver got out of the car, it was someone I hadn't expected to see today. "Elias, why is it you?" I asked abruptly, not getting into the car like he gestured me to do.
Smirking, he asked, "Missed me? Happy to see me? Excited that I will be your chauffeur today?"
I considered kicking him in the face but restrained myself since I didn't want to change clothes afterward. "No. Just wanting to know why you are the driver today." I crossed my arms, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing the answer was D) all the above to his previous questions.
"Well, all the palace chauffeurs will be taking the rest of the Ajei family to their events today, so I volunteered to be your driver/bodyguard. It is my pleasure to serve you," he said, bowing and gesturing again for me to enter the car.
"Líma has briefed me on this trip's expectations, so I'm ready and able to assist however you need me to. Lady Nyxara, your carriage awaits." I gave Líma a look. She gave me an innocent smile in return. I did not delay us further. After I got in, Líma slid in next to me. Elias closed the door and notified security through his headset that we were leaving the palace complex grounds.
Since Salgrave Manor was only a 15-minute drive away, I quietly played on my phone the whole ride. Elias didn't engage me in conversation nor turn on any music. I didn't feel ignored exactly, but I did feel a little sad that the man I considered my friend was treating me like a job.
Líma was watching me with such unnerving focus that I was getting creeped out. Especially when she imperceptibly scooted closer to me.
I was considering if it would be worth it to kick her away, but I was worried she might have installed a masochist program for maximum trauma effect—yes, Líma is twisted enough to do that—when Elias pulled up to a call box of a gated estate.
"Welcome to the Salgrave Manor, primary residence of Crest House Salgrave. How may we help you?" The gentlemanly voice coming from the speaker sounded wise and kind. It calmed my growing nerves about this encounter somewhat.
"Lady Nyxara Ajei here to visit Lady Zenaida and Crest Master Salgrave." Elias spoke with such authority that I had to lock down the spike of arousal I felt. Líma's unwavering gaze now looked delighted and curious. I don't even want to guess what twisted thoughts she was currently having.
Everywhere I looked outside the car, beautiful arrays had been positioned to harness ambient essence, attract good fortune, or promote wellness. Overall, the Salgrave Manor grounds were beautiful.
The residence itself was constructed with white stone that appeared softened by climbing ivy. Tall windows caught the mid-day light like something out of a painting. The wide, sweeping drive was lined with manicured hedges and carefully curated blooms that looked effortless in the way only hard work and dedication could accomplish.
When Elias stopped the car before the manor, it looked…perfectly mismatched with the surrounding grounds.
I didn't know which style had been implemented first, but the grounds felt warm, harmonious, and positive. On closer examination, the manor itself felt like an attempt at perfection.
It didn't feel like a home. It didn't feel like somewhere I would have expected Zen or Florien to have grown up in. All effort but no heart, that is what I felt the moment I stepped out of the car. The air was too still. Not quiet—still. Like the house wasn't sure of its identity anymore.
The butler greeted me before I reached the main doors, already halfway down the steps as if he had been watching for me. "First Lady Nyxara Ajei," he said with a respectful incline of his head. "We've been expecting you."
I would hope so considering I specifically had Líma place this appointment on Crest Master Salgrave's calendar to avoid wasting my time. "Thank you for your welcome. Are Zen and Master Salgrave available for me to see them now?" I asked, offering him a polite smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
"Of course, my lady. This way." The doors opened before he even touched them. I stepped inside and was immediately concerned the floor wasn't safe to walk on; it was so polished and shiny.
I tested the floor and found traction, but I also knew I wouldn't be able to move quickly unless I wanted to go skating. Elias and Líma noticed my odd behavior and looked down at the floor. Líma, the traitor, nudged Elias forward. Elias offered me his arm. I took it without hesitation. That is how worried I was about falling on my ass.
The butler's expression was stoic, but his eyes were grinning. I'm not sure what he found amusing, but I was getting the feeling I would find out soon enough. Now no longer worried about my stability, I actually took in the decorations. The interior matched the exterior—elegant, refined, curated down to the smallest detail. Carefully chosen art. Furniture that looked as though no one had ever dared use it wrong. It was beautiful.
Also not the vibe I got from the two Salgraves I had spent time with.
We hadn't taken more than a few steps into the entry hall when another figure approached. She moved like she belonged here. Like a gliding shark greeting potential neighbors or prey. I'm nobody's prey. Who was this woman to make so little effort to hide her intentions?
Líma intercepted her before she got within touching distance. My maid is awesome like that. Plus, I'm 90% sure she keeps herself connected to my medical bracelets and reads my heightened pulse through them. Bloody cheat is what she really is.
The woman paused as if she always intended to stop where she did. "First Lady Nyxara Ajei," she greeted smoothly, her smile warm in a way that didn't reach her eyes at all. "What a pleasant surprise. No one told me you would be visiting our humble home today." She curtseyed and somehow didn't fall on her face.
I think her spiked heels were anchoring her. I'm tempted to ask Líma to confirm my suspicions later. "I'm Crest Master Cortez Salgrave's second wife, Nina. I welcome you on behalf of our family. The first wife is chronically ill, so my humble self will host you in her stead."
So eager to present yourself. I can smell a green tea bitch when I see one. There was something about her that felt… rehearsed. Every movement felt just slightly too precise. Every word measured for effect rather than truth.
My disappointment in Master Salgrave rose another notch. "Second Mrs. Salgrave," I returned, matching her tone with effortless politeness.
"I do wish someone would have given me more notice," she continued, trying to step closer, but Líma met her sidestep effortlessly. "We would have prepared a feast and invited all the children back to greet you. Only a few of our family members are currently in residence."
That was intentional. I didn't want a lot of fanfare for this visit. After all, this is a support visit, not a personal visit.Her gaze appeared to be taking everything in from my person to Elias and Líma's protective stances. "I have an important meeting with Zenaida and. . ."
"Oh, you are here to see little Zen Zen? Well, you should know she has been spending quite a bit of time away from the main house lately," she interjected. "You know she normally lives in an apartment downtown with her sister so she can commute easier to school. I don't even know if she is here right now." I smiled a smile just as soft and empty as hers.
After the many events I had to attend with the Dillards back on Earth so they could show off their genius foster daughter to their friends, I'm a pro at these types of social interactions.
If this woman thought I couldn't match her energy today, she picked the wrong target.
"She's here." Those two words made Nina's smile sharpen slightly.
"Of course. Of course. Just no one told me you were coming. I swear you just don't know how hard it is to get respect from my own kids these days. I'm just a second wife, but I was given authority over the household matters while the first wife recovers." She huffed, then conjured a beautiful fan to wave around. How artistically dramatic of her.
"I tell you, I'm always having to deal with these little rebellions from Little Zen Zen the older she gets. Us Omegas can become spoiled easily if a firm guiding hand isn't kept on our behavior. I apologize to you, First Lady Ajei. It would be a shame if any misunderstandings…reflected poorly on the family."
There it is. Not direct. Just enough talk to shift nonexistent blame. One glance at the butler's closed eyes told me this wasn't a unique occurrence.
I directed my next question to him, "Is the second wife also in charge of Master Salgrave's appointments?" The butler opened his eyes to glance at Nina, then his wise eyes landed on me.
"No. Not since she resigned as his executive assistant." Nina's red face was cute. She went from looking like a shark to looking like a snapper fish. She was so speechless. As entertaining as playing with her was, she had delayed me long enough.
"I have arrived, and I do not wish to keep Master Salgrave and Zen waiting. Please guide me there." I said, tone pleasant and final. A beat of silence.
Nina's skin was turning so many colors I wanted to ask if she was a rainbow fish shifter. "Of course, my lady," the butler said. And just like that, Nina was bypassed and ignored.
The deeper we went into the manor, the livelier it became. The house now felt more like a home and less like a showcase display. So the curated perfection hadn't infected everything. It's good there are still pockets of who I believe the Salgraves really are in this place.
Every maid, servant, or butler we encountered greeted us with smiles. I felt their eyes on my back until either they or I were out of sight. Our footsteps were softened on the carpeted floor. When we reached a set of double doors, my gut told me I wasn't going to like what I found on the other side.
Thick tension that needed resolution was practically oozing from the room. A knot of essence formed before me without warning. I read it, then dissolved it.
The butler looked stunned at the display while Elias's eyes asked a silent question. I couldn't explain how I knew he was asking whether this meeting was still safe, but I did. When I shook my head, I could feel his battle-ready energy return to a stand-by state.
I gave a nod to the butler to open the doors, but he remained stunned. Líma gently pushed him aside, knocked first, then pushed open the doors in his stead.
I stepped inside. The situation was and wasn't as I feared. Zen stood near the center of the room, shoulders tight, jaw set in a way that told me the conversation had started without me.
Zen was holding her ground, but barely. . -I'm here now. Back up has I arrived.- Zen didn't turn around to greet me, but I did see some of the tension in her body release.
My eyes met the aqua blue of the older man who was standing facing my direction. He didn't appear old enough to be her grandfather, so I felt it safe to assume this was the man I had come to meet—Zen's father, Master Salgrave.
Líma stepped forward. "I present to you, First Lady Nyxara Ajei of the Ajei Enclave, here for her meeting with Crest Master Cortez Salgrave and Third Lady Zenaida Salgrave."
I let go of Elias's arm, and he stepped back to join Líma against the wall. I stepped forward and gave a slight bow of respect.
Master Salgrave seemed to be having trouble shifting gears from reprimanding his daughter to greeting me. So I took the burden off of him. I walked to Zen's side, hooked arms with her, then gave Master Salgrave a polite smile.
"Greetings, Crest Master Salgrave. It would appear you two started the meeting without me. Will you catch me up on where we are in this discussion?"
This snapped him out of his odd funk. He gave me a bow, then gestured for me to take a seat. "Welcome, First Lady Ajei. Dave and my wife will be bringing refreshments momentarily."
When I moved to take the seat, I found that Zen could not move with me. It was at this moment that I took a closer look at Zen to discover she was locked from the waist down and had the sigil of Zerith (silence) glowing in her mouth.
Don't. Nyx. Don't choose anger yet. Give him a chance to explain. Yes, Master Salgrave must have a good reason for locking Zen down and silencing her.
"Master Salgrave, why is Zen being treated like this? I had assumed this would be a civilized discussion, not one of a punishing nature."
Master Salgrave did not seem to hear the tone in my voice. He simply turned disappointed eyes towards his daughter. "Her Mamãe Nina had shared some insight about today's discussion, so I was hoping to confirm with Zenaida the truth before you arrived."
"I know you and Zenaida are still getting to know each other again, so you have Zenaida on probation until she proves she will not make the same mistakes again. Nina has told me everything. I do not know why, Zenaida has chosen to act out for attention, but I will not tolerate it. She was not raised this way." I gripped my hands behind my back so I wouldn't punch this imbecile.
Remember Nyx, Master Salgrave is a loyal subordinate of our enclave. He has no idea how idiotic he sounds right now. He is a smart man who is exceptionally innovative as an engineer and a great businessman. I even heard he has strong family values.
Give him another chance. Yes. He is Zen's father. Give him another chance.
Zen hasn't looked at me since I entered. She wasn't crying, but her eyes were those of someone only a step away from surrender. Now I can't have her giving up before we even start.
I drew two sigils of Mal'theris (dissolve) then placed one on her hip. For the second, I pinched her cheeks until her mouth opened enough for me to press the sigil onto her tongue. With relief, Zen moved her body around.
"Thanks for the assist, Nyx. Please have a seat. Like Pai (dad) said, Dave will return with refreshments soon." Zen guided me over to a nearby sofa but did not sit with me. Instead, she stood beside me.
Master Salgrave's gaze was inquisitive as he looked between Zen and me. I got us back on track. "Break it down for me. How exactly does Zen wanting to officially break up with that waste of space, Byron Ivy, equate to her throwing a tantrum?" I kept my tone cool and formal.
Master Salgrave looked uneasy for a minute, then in resignation, he sadly told me what that green tea bitch had told him.